My Moment in Time

Guest Blog Post By: Mrs. Kim Messina, LMS and Lakeside Teacher of the Year

10 years ago, when Dr. Steven Halfaker and Steve Mull showed up at my spring choir concert at La Presa Middle School and asked if I would be willing to come over to Lakeside and start a program, I had no idea that that leap of faith would lead to the amazing rollercoaster I experienced this past weekend. When Dr. Lorden announced that I was the LUSD Teacher of the Year at our LMS staff meeting in March, I was both in shock and deeply honored on behalf of the entire district.

Within that same week, Cox communications came out to the school looking to fill performance spots for the televised Salute to Teachers. A few short weeks later, I was told that my students at Lakeside MIddle would fill not one, but two of the four performance spots on Salute to Teachers. It was surreal to think that I would get to sit in that audience at the beautiful Balboa Theater and watch my own students perform up on stage.

In the summer weeks leading up to the event, I began rehearsals with both my show choir students as well as with Cassidy Drabble and a group of our LMS dancers. We had to rehearse in the evenings and weekends due to schedules but these kids were more than willing to put in the extra time and energy it took for a spectacular performance. It wasn’t until the week of the event that this experience became surreal.

As I looked over the required rehearsal schedule provided by Cox, I became very aware that my focus was going to on my students and their performances, as opposed to being a nominee and my time was going to be spread thin. Each group had a 2 hour rehearsal in addition to my own as a TOY nominee. They were asked to run through their performance over and over so that camera angles could be precise and the home audience would receive the best televised show possible.  The time and planning that goes into this process is truly remarkable and although it was exhausting, it was also exhilarating and I felt so honored to be able to showcase my kids at their best in front of so many amazing educators.

Although I told my kids I would not get to see them until after the show, I could not resist sneaking backstage between the VIP reception and live show to say hi and to wish them luck. They were so truly happy for me and so very excited to see me that I felt like I was on cloud 9. Steve Mull and my parent volunteers were truly amazing volunteering to be backstage throughout this process so I could enjoy the moment.  

As I returned to my seat, I was beaming with pride. As the MC’s announced the Lakeside Middle School Show Choir Aptitude, the butterflies took over but so did the excitement.  I was all smiles from ear to ear in the anticipation. As the other nominees seated around me realized the amazing performers up on stage were my students, their comments filled my heart with pride. The responses were amazing and everyone was so in awe and disbelief that those were MIDDLE SCHOOL students up on stage.  Those were MY students, MY KIDS. The reactions grew even more as Cassidy Drabble took the stage singing “One Moment in Time” with Ella Brady and the LMS dance students. As Cassidy began to sing, my emotions soared and as the song swelled, so did my heart. I do not consider myself an overly emotional person but I was brought to tears as I watched them on stage. This truly was “that moment in time” when all of my dreams were a heartbeat away. It was truly an amazing feeling of pride and love for each one of these kids.

As we exited the theater that evening, each of my students came out front and handed me a single rose one after another. I have never been so honored as I was by them that very night! I really felt like I had touched their lives and made a difference. As a teacher, I strive to make a lasting impression on my students, and that night...I truly believe I did.  I know they have made a lasting impression on me!